Malapropism: meaning, definitions and examples

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malapropism

 

[ หŒmรฆl.ษ™หˆprษ’p.ษช.zษ™m ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

language error

Malapropism is the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar. This often results in a humorous effect, as the incorrect word often has a completely different meaning from the one intended. Malapropisms can be found in both spoken and written language.

Synonyms

blunder, mistake, misuse

Examples of usage

  • He is the pineapple of politeness.
  • Texas has a lot of electrical votes.
  • She's a vast suppository of information.

Translations

Translations of the word "malapropism" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น malapropismo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เคฒเคค เค‰เคšเฅเคšเคพเคฐเคฃ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Malapropismus

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ malapropisme

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะฐะปะฐะฟั€ะพะฟั–ะทะผ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ malapropizm

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒžใƒฉใƒ—ใƒญใƒ”ใ‚บใƒ 

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท malapropisme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ malapropismo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท malapropizm

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ง๋ผํ”„๋กœํ”„์ด์ฆ˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุงู„ุงุจุฑูˆุจูŠุฒู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ malapropismus

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ malapropizmus

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฏฏ็”จ่ฏ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ malapropizem

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ malapropismi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะฐะปะฐะฟั€ะพะฟะธะทะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒšแƒแƒžแƒ แƒแƒžแƒ˜แƒ–แƒ›แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ malapropizm

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ malapropismo

Etymology

The term 'malapropism' originates from the character Mrs. Malaprop in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's 1775 play, 'The Rivals'. Mrs. Malaprop was known for her amusing misuse of words, often replacing a correct word with an incorrect one that sounded similar but had a completely different meaning. The word 'malapropism' itself derives from the French phrase 'mal ร  propos', which means 'inappropriate'. Over time, malapropisms have become a notable aspect of comedy and literature, showcasing the humor that can arise from language errors. This phenomenon also highlights the complexities of language and how easily words can be confused, especially in casual conversation.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,179, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.